20/07/2012

Austin & McLean and Esso to be charged in relation to the death of Juan Antonio Quintanilla Romero

Mr Juan Antonio Quintanilla Romero was working on a fuel tanker which had docked at the Oil Refinery in Fawley, Southampton, when he tragically died on 30 August 2008. A large fuel pipe collapsed on him after the jib from which it was suspended gave way as a connector bolt, which was severely corroded, failed.

Hampshire Police Service and the Health and Safety Executive have investigated the incident, and liaised with the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on whether any criminal charges should be brought against either Esso Petroleum Company Limited (Esso) - who own the Fawley Refinery and the jib that collapsed - or Austin and McLean Limited - who were hired by Esso to undertake maintenance on the jib.

Gaon Hart, Senior Crown Advocate in the Special Crime team at the CPS said:

“I have very carefully considered the evidence and have decided that Austin and McLean Limited should be charged with offences including an offence of gross negligence manslaughter, relating to a gross breach of their duty of care towards Mr Romero.

“I have also decided that Esso should be charged with Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 offences including those under sections 2, 3 and 4 relating to a failure to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of employees and visitors.

“I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence resulting from the investigation to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is required in the public interest. Those are the tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

“Both companies have now been summonsed on criminal offences. It is very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice the trial.”

Background information:

• Juan Antonio Quintanilla Romero (born 8/2/1968) was from Honduras. • Representatives of Esso and Austin and McLean Limited will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 5 September 2012.